It was about a year ago, my friend and I were strolling down Residency road when a sparkling black Mercedes whizzed past us like a bolt of lightening.
“That’s my Car “he claimed, bringing back a cheer on his otherwise distraught face.
“Leave alone owning a Mercedes, I do not have enough to purchase a new cell phone “, I cribbed
“You may not own it, but that does not stop you from desiring to own one someday “, he claimed, “I’m working towards it “
The Mercedes Benz has always been a symbol of status. As a child I kept hearing the term “Mercedes” even before I could relate to it. I still remember the first time I saw a used Mercedes Car, owned by a friend of my aunt. It was an ancient piece of bottle green that the owner claimed to have exported from Dubai. Every time the vehicle was parked before our house, there were a group of onlookers admiring it’s elegance (this was about 2 decades ago!). Some took pride in touching the vehicle.
Now, years later, I could relate to an owners pride in showcasing his Mercedes. The vehicle was the owner’s identity –a symbol of power, style and elegance.
I could not but help appreciate my friend’s optimism. He had a bad day at work, was not in the right spirits when his dream car made a timely entry, rekindling his innate desire to own a Mercedes. Deep within him was this undying desire to achieve the unthinkable – A day when he would speed down the high street in his Mercedes Benz, to the awe of many others.
His dream to own a Mercedes was a motivation to work harder, day after day.
A disintegrated cell phone, a used two-wheeler and an empty wallet, precisely described my state. Yet, I felt he spoke sense .I was reminded of the days when I would get completely drenched in the rain while returning home on my bike. There was a growing desire to buy a four-wheeler (not a Mercedes for certain!), which was being silenced by the authoritative rational in me – “It’s improbable, your daydreaming “, it would convince me.
Today the emotional half in me countered saying “There is no harm in day dreaming “.
I for once felt momentarily happy at the thought of owning a car. The next minute was spent in visualising my future, while my friend continued to blabber of his newfound philosophy. It was that defining moment that gave birth to my Mantra of Sustenance called – “The Mercedes Phenomenon”
The Mercedes Phenomenon Rule 1: “Transform your dreams into goals”
A dream/desire is a longing for an object. When you start believing in your dreams, you begin to nurture a goal.
. The key difference between a Dream and a Goal is – “The Effort”.
An effort towards the goal helps realise your true potential. I resolved to purchase my cell phone in the next 3 months. When a goal is set, a deadline fixed and a sincere effort applied towards it – The world will conspire to see it happen .
I managed to purchase a new cell phone in instalments in the stipulated time. There was a greater sense of financial management. I never thought I would manage to pull it off with my meagre salary!
A couple of months down, the passion in me, of being a writer were growing stronger. I had been nourishing this dream for over five years. Every time I would suppress the desire till a day when I began believing in the ability to achieve my dreams- The Mercedes phenomenon had begun to work!
I did not have system (computer) or a medium to attain my needs. My dear friend offered to provide me a medium to showcase my potential, which is today a part of my life –this website www.mads4u.com ! I started using the internet cafés to send across articles and it seemed troublesome. This is when I dared to dream again and decided to buy a computer. After researching on the products available in the market, I short-listed a Lenovo laptop, which was cost efficient. Having borrowed a loan, I bought the laptop last August. For once, I cared little of the consequences or risks. I just followed my heart.
I am now systematically paying my instalments to clear the debt. Today, the website is a reality, the laptop is a means to achieve my dream of being a writer. I continue to nurture an aspiration of 
publishing a book one day and having my articles in different print mediums. My readers are the greatest source of inspiration. I will continue to drive the effort until I realise my goals.
Confucius, the Chinese philosopher has rightly said “It is not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall “.Obstacles are natural to any process.
Obstacles in life can curb a dream, but cannot deter you from attaining your goals. So friends, begin to believe in your dreams. I would share my insights on the other Mantras of The Mercedes Phenomenon in the days ahead. Until then, revisit your dreams that have gone astray, transform each of them into a goal , by setting realistic deadlines and yes, give it your best shot!
As of now, my dream of a four-wheeler remains merely a dream. I now set a deadline of a year (12 months), from this day to attain the same.
The goal is set, the deadline fixed, the effort to realise it has begun. The time begins now….
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